MAILBAG - Nov. 15, 2007

Spay deliberations waste time and money

Compromise? That was not a compromise but a well orchestrated back peddle to save face.

This is a worthless effort and is wasting citizens money when there are more important matters to address, not the personal agenda of a council member.

I find that the latest approach to the proposed ordinance is just as nebulous and raises additional questions to an already Swiss-cheese ordinance.

Just look at the lack of wording — they are going to beat this to death for six more months at our cost.

First off, I already pay the county an extra license fee to keep my dog intact so now you want to levy another fee? Who will levy that fee, the county?

If it is the county how can Huntington Beach unilaterally enact a county fee hike without the concurrence of the other cities in the county?

If it is a city-imposed fee then to what organizations or services does the money go?

How will the revenues that are raised be monitored and accounted for as to their distribution and use?

What’s the cost to the city to generate the data base, print bills, mailing, manage the effort, etc.?

I doubt that the annual $75,000 that was earmarked originally in version one as the cost for the city job to deal with this will be adequate.

We have other city issues that could use those funds.

The whole thing has an unpleasant odor to it.

I know many residents who will be watching this as a reminder come election day.

We need to elect a council that will have a more grass-roots understanding as to what the citizens need, and want to give leadership so our city does not spend countless hours on a tail-chasing pet project.

Drew Kovacs

Huntington Beach